BCCI Confirms Afghanistan's June Tour: One Test and Three ODIs
Synopsis
Afghanistan's cricket team is set to tour India for an exciting series featuring a Test match and three ODIs in June, marking their first bilateral series against India since early 2024. This announcement by the BCCI comes shortly after the IPL season.
Key Takeaways
Afghanistan will tour India for a Test and ODI series in June.
The Test match will be held at PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.
ODI matches will take place in Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will return for India in ODIs.
Richard Pybus is the new head coach for Afghanistan.
New Delhi, March 2 (NationPress) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Monday that Afghanistan will embark on a tour of India for a one-off Test and three ODIs in June. This series is set to take place shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) and represents Afghanistan’s first bilateral series against India since their last encounter in a three-match T20I series in January 2024.
According to a statement from secretary Devajit Saikia, the Test match is scheduled to occur at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh from June 6 to June 10. The ODI series will kick off on June 14 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, with the following matches planned at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow and MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on June 17 and 20 respectively.
The last encounter between Afghanistan and India in a Test format was significant as it marked Afghanistan’s debut in Test cricket back in June 2018, where they suffered a defeat by an innings and 262 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
This three-match ODI series will witness the return of batting legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to the field for India. Both former captains have shifted their focus to 50-over international matches after retiring from Test and T20I formats. In their previous four encounters in the ODI format, India has prevailed in three matches, while their other meeting resulted in a tie during the 2018 Asia Cup.
Following the series against Afghanistan, Kohli and Rohit will participate in a white-ball tour of England, which includes five T20Is and three ODIs, commencing on July 1. The ODI segment will begin on July 14.
Recently, Afghanistan appointed Richard Pybus as their new head coach for all formats. He will join the team ahead of the white-ball series against Sri Lanka, scheduled in the UAE next month. Pybus, previously the coach of Pakistan and Bangladesh, has taken the reins from Jonathan Trott, who departed after their T20 World Cup campaign ended in the league stage.
Point of View
This upcoming series between India and Afghanistan is a significant milestone for both teams. It offers Afghanistan a chance to challenge a top-tier cricketing nation and showcases India's commitment to fostering international cricket relations.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Afghanistan tour of India take place?
The tour is scheduled for June, with a one-off Test from June 6 to 10 and three ODIs starting on June 14.
Where will the matches be held?
The Test match will take place at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh and the ODIs at venues in Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai.
Who are the key players to watch in the ODI series?
Batting legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be key players for India in the ODI series.
What is the historical significance of this series?
This series marks Afghanistan's first bilateral series against India since their last T20I series in January 2024.
Who is Afghanistan's new head coach?
Richard Pybus has been appointed as the new head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team.
